• ZAMEC draft bill has a number of clauses that are detrimental to the development of the media space in Zambia.
• Media self-regulation must be done without any cosmetics.
• Media Owners want an ideal self-regulatory mechanism that will promote the effective practice of journalism.

Media Owners Association of Zambia (MOAZ) has rejected the final draft of the Zambia Media Council (ZAMEC) Bill which has been resubmitted to government by Media Liaison Committee.
Speaking at a media briefing, Association President Evans Banda said the Media Owners are not in support of the draft final ZAMEC Bill because of some clauses which are a danger to media development in the country.
Mr. Banda stated that media self-regulation must be done without any cosmetics, hence the Association is not surprised that MISA- Zambia and BBC Media Action have withdrawn their participation from the Media Self-Regulation Technical Group.
He further wondered who the Media Liaison Committee is representing in the media self-regulation process when two influential organizations in Zambia’s media space, MISA Zambia and BBC Media Action have withdrawn their participation from the media self-regulation Technical Working Group.
“As media owners, we are opposed to the final draft of the Zambia Media Council Bill which the Media Liaison Committee has resubmitted to the Ministry of Information and Media to be taken to Parliament.”
“This is because we have noticed a number of clauses that are detrimental to the development of the media space in Zambia, and if left unchecked, we may find ourselves creating a monster that will create problems for the media in Zambia,” Mr. Banda said.
He further called for an engagement with the two Ministries on self-regulation and the current dangers in the final draft of the ZAMEC Bill.
Speaking at the same briefing, Money FM Chief Executive Officer Nkhonde Fumbeshi said Media Owners in the country want an ideal self-regulatory mechanism that will promote the effective practice of journalism.
Mrs. Fumbeshi said a good law must be agreed upon by all stakeholders, hence the need to ensure that the process of media self-regulation involves the media Owners.
“The Media Owners want an ideal self-regulation mechanism which will promote our journalists, our media institutions and above all the effective practice of journalism as a profession which is anchored on constitutional provision of freedom of expression.”
“We realize that the ultimate goal of regulation of the media should be to guarantee, protect and promote fundamental rights of freedom of expression. The process has to be a clear road map that carries all stakeholders to ensure an outcome that is not hurried,” Mrs. Fumbeshi stated.
Meanwhile, former Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Emmanuel Mwamba advised the Ministry of Information and Media to withdraw the draft ZAMEC Bill and engage all stakeholders including Media Owners in the country.
Other Media Owners present called for the withdrawal of the draft ZAMEC Bill in order to pave way for wider consultations.